Take the Shield of Faith

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:11

We know and relate to God through faith.  He did not choose reason, philosophy, logic or wisdom. And  He did not choose mysticism; He chose faith in His Word.

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Faith Has Three Parts

  • A factual statement that we understand.
  • Belief of that statement.
  • Acting on that statement.

A Statement of Fact

Faith is based on a factual statement that we understand.  We cannot believe in nothing and we cannot believe in that which we do not understand. The Word of God provides the facts, and we are instructed to believe them. It is important to know that we do not have to understand how God has accomplished something in order to have faith, but we do have to comprehend what is being said. For example: God created the heavens and earth. I do not understand how He created them, but I understand what is being said, God created the heavens and earth. I comprehend what He said, I choose to believe what He said, and then I act on what He said. That is faith and faith is not beyond any person who is committed to believing the Word of God.

Belief of The Word

Believing is not difficult, choosing to believe is very difficult. We know that a choice to believe what God says is going to profoundly affect our lives. Making that decision can be incredibly difficult, but after that decision is made, believing is easy.

Believing is a choice, an act of the will. In fact, everything we believe we have chosen to believe. We cannot believe anything without an act of our will choosing to believe.

We Choose To Believe The Word of God

As Christians we are to choose to believe the Word of God. We all have the ability to make a formal choice, which means, verbally, out loud, and to God. For example: "from this day forward I am going to believe your Word, the Holy Scriptures, as written, with no excuses and no compromise, regardless of the cost". I actually did this as a new Christian and it was one of the most important decisions of my life.

The decision to believe what God said completely revolutionized my life. His Word brought His power into my mind and heart. Prior to the decision to believe what God said, I was defenseless against thoughts, feelings, and emotions. After making the decision to believe the Word of God, I realized God's power was being released in me and I began to sense the renewing of my mind as I conformed my inner self to the Word of God.

I finally had a weapon against wrong thoughts and destructive emotions. Walking by faith gave me power over my inner self. I had, in fact, gained inner healing through believing and acting on the Word of God.

Acting On The Word

Faith acts on the Word of God. Faith must be used in order to stop the flaming arrows of the enemy. The devil's arrows cause disillusionment, frustration, and unbelief. The Word of God empowers us to defeat all the flaming arrows of darkness that war against our soul. The Lord wants us to apply His Word to our lives by choosing to act on what He says. The flaming arrows of darkness challenge what God says, we overcome these destructive lies by believing and acting on the Word of God.

Eph 6:10-16 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Faith releases the power of God.  As we believe and act on His Word, our lives are empowered by the inherent power of His Word. Read Hebrews Chpt. 11

More on Faith

Faith has to do with facts, truths set forth by God. My faith does not make something true. The act of choosing what to believe, does not make true what one choose to believe.

If I choose to believe that Buddha is God does not make Buddha God.  What God says is not true because we decide to believe Him. What God says is true because He alone is God and He alone is the Author of truth. He created reality and is the only One qualified to explain reality. He alone is God and as God, He is the first cause of truth. Truth proceed from Him. He has the first and the last Word on all questions of life, morals, conduct, and doctrine.

It is true that we choose to believe what he says, it is not true that our belief makes factual what He says. His Word is true even if we decide to not believe it. 

The Christian chooses to believe what God says, it's that simple.  Everyone chooses whom to believe, and as Christians, we are to make a conscious decision to believe  the God of the Bible and what He says!

Faith has to do with what God says. Trust has to do with God's character.

We believe what He says and we trust Him, for He is truthful and good. The KJV speaks of substance and evidence.

Hebrews 11:1-2 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

The above Scripture defines faith as facts, truths set forth by God. These truths promise hope, provide evidence, and makes us certain of what we do not see. What makes one certain is the factual statements of God's Word. If He said it, then it is true and provides a foundation for our hope.

What God says is what makes one certain of that which he does not yet see.

Our evidence is what God says, for example, God told Noah to build an ark, stock it with food and animals, for He would destroy the world by water but Noah and his family would be saved.

What is the evidence of Noah's safety?

God said if he would build an ark he would be safe.

What is the evidence that the world would be destroyed by rain?

God said He would destroy every living thing by rain.

What gave Noah hope of survival?

God said He would protect Noah.

What is the evidence that it would really rain?

God said it would.

How did Noah know he would have enough food?

God told him to gather food for himself and the animals.

These are simple examples of faith, but faith needs to be explained in an uncomplicated way. We all can be people of faith if we understand how to believe and act on what God says.

God has shut us up to faith as a way of relating to Him. In other words, the only way to please Him is to believe Him. There is really no other way of relating to God, we must simply believe Him.

Hebrews 10:38 (KJV) 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

A Real-Life Example of Faith

I realized depression was wrong, there were too many places in scripture that told me to rejoice and to be thankful. So I began to resist depression. I identified depression as proceeding from darkness and identified it's message of worthlessness and hopelessness as a lie. I began the process of rebuilding my mind and emotions through the truth of God's Word. I identified thoughts and feelings that were not in agreement with what God said. For example, if the Scripture said I should rejoice, but I felt hopeless, then I identified that hopeless feeling as a lie of darkness and began to quote the Scriptures that said I had a future and a present hope.  By doing this I removed the emotional foundations resulting from dark thoughts and feelings and they lost their power over me.  I found that identifying what I was feeling gave me the ability to clearly see the origin of those destructive feelings. I stated out loud (in the privacy of my home) where that thought, feeling, or emotion proceeded from. Did it proceed from darkness or did it proceed from God? I took the Word of God and realigned my thoughts, feelings, emotions, desires,  and priorities in this manner. And God strengthened me. I was able to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy.

Faith is ultimately a moral question-it is wrong and very sinful, to not have faith in God. If we do not have faith in God or what He says, it is because we refuse to. There are numerous evidences for the reality of God and the truthfulness of His word, but the scripture states that men do not have faith because they suppress or choose not to believe His truth. Read the following scripture.

Romans 1:19-25 (NLT)19 For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. 20 From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes. 24 So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.

To repeat, the three steps of faith are:

  • Understand what is being said
  • Make a choice to believe what is being said
  • Act on what is being said.

We grow in faith as we begin to live by faith. The more we consciously  choose to live by the Word of God, the stronger our faith becomes. The stronger our faith becomes, the stronger we become in battle and have the power to practice the self-discipline we are called to. Remember what the scripture states,

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Eph 6:16

Heb 11:1-8 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Rom 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God

2COR 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Gal 3:11.22,24,26 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

HEB 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him

Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all

Acts 3:16 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith

Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Rom 4:13-14,16 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Gal 3:8-9,26 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Col 1:20-23 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

1Thess 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

1Tim 1:4-5 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

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